‘Sorcerer’ off to slow start

Disney pic nabs $3.9 million Wednesday

Disney’s Nicolas Cage-starrer “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” got off to a less-than-magical start Wednesday, debuting with a middling $3.9 million at 3,385 locations.

“Apprentice” ranked in the No. 2 spot that day, well behind Universal’s 3D toon “Despicable Me,” which grossed $7.2 million. Toon’s domestic cume now stands at an impressive $79.2 million in just its first full week of release.

Originally skedded to launch on Friday, Disney moved up “Apprentice” to attract tots on summer vacation, as well as to benefit from positive early word of mouth. Pic’s rocky start could spell troubling news for the film this weekend, when it will go head-to-head with the frame’s other wide release Warner Bros.’ “Inception.”

Both “Inception” and “Apprentice” launch limited day-and-date overseas, with the U.K. repping the only major market for “Inception” and “Apprentice” in just 10% of the international market, including Argentina and Russia.

“Apprentice” will expand to 3,504 Stateside locations on Friday; “Inception” debuts at 3,792.